KEILLER, Murray
| Service Number: | 1376 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 6th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Feb 1915: | Involvement Corporal, 1376, 6th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Clan McGillivray embarkation_ship_number: A46 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Feb 1915: | Embarked Corporal, 1376, 6th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Clan McGillivray, Melbourne |
Wounded in Action
Corporal Murray Keiller, of the first reinforcements of the 6th Battalion of the First Expeditionary Force, who was wounded at the Dardanelles, writes from the hospital at Malta to his parents in Portland as follows:
"I suppose you have been worrying yourselves about me a good deal since the 25th of April, when you saw my name among the wounded, I hope you did not think I was much hurt. We had a pretty hot time amongst the Turks, but they are not nearly so terrible when they are up against some one better than themselves. They don't like us and don't wait to meet us.
The first time I heard a shell over my head was about half-past four on the morning of April 25. It passed high over our ship (so I found out after). I ducked first and asked questions after. I soon got used to them although I still have a great regard for them.
We first landed at Kaba Teba after being there about two weeks. The second brigade went to Cape Helas, It was there in the long charge I got my wound on Saturday, May 8. It was the charge for the hill of Achi Baba (it was just hell). I got struck on the left thigh, the ball passing right through the leg from front to rear, not touching any bones, and, leaving a clean wound which will soon heal. I had to wait for the sun to go down to get back again as it was too warm to go before. We made the last rush just before dark. Bill Herricks got hit about the same time as I did, and nearly in the same part of the leg. We walked to the beach next morning and got to the ship on Monday. The walk was about 3 or four miles, and it took a long time, but it shows we were not so bad. Now I am quite settled here and doing well, so don't worry about me.
I am going to write to Mrs Papley tomorrow. I was very sorry about Len, and the family have my sympathy. He was very brave and showed great dash and daring. He was shot in the trenches on the first Tuesday morning. He was looking for snipers, and it is said did not take enough care of himself. Gordon Hawkins was killed in the cutter just before he got ashore.
Tell Miss Kean I have plenty of time now to read the gift she gave me. The ladies of Malta gave us a good time when we landed. They fed us up on good things, and I ate like a school boy.
I will be writing home a good deal now, and with much love to you all and kind regards to all friends,
I remain, Yours, &c.,
RAY.
Sourced from the "Portland Guardian" Wednesday 23rd June 1915. (trove.nla.gov.au)
Submitted 3 June 2023 by Andreena Hockley